Submariners are among the Navys most technically trained and skilled people - they need strong and intelligent leaders. Submarine officers command, manage and operate the fleet attack and ballistic missile submarines that patrol the worlds oceans - monitoring enemy hostile actions, intercepting electronic communications and gathering information. Submarine officers have the immense task of ensuring that all of a subs self-contained systems run smoothly, from oxygen and fire control systems to flood management, nuclear propulsion and weapons systems. A small group of disciplined and committed officers are in charge of an entire crew and some of the most secretive and technologically advanced equipment in the world. When it comes to upholding national security, the U.S. submarine force provides the most pivotal service in the military by deterring conflict through its powerful offensive capabilities. If you have the strength, ambition and discipline to be part of an elite group of leaders, rise to your lifes challenge by becoming a submarine officer.

What Will You Do?
Submarines, their officers and crew are heavily relied upon for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, land attack, strategic deterrence and landing Special Operations forces. Standards for submariners are very high and operations are often covert and classified. During a sea tour, submarine officers may be in charge of any number of tasks, including the safe operation of the nuclear reactor, maintaining the ships torpedoes, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and sonar, charting the ships position and operating communications and intelligence equipment. As a submarine officer, you will be specially trained in the nuclear field and assigned on a nuclear-powered attack submarine or a nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine.

• Attack Submarines: Designed to pursue and attack enemy ships and submarines. They are the most effective anti-submarine warfare tool available to counter diesel and nuclear-powered submarines operated by potential adversaries. They improve communications and conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
• Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines: These submarines are longer than a football field and carry long-range nuclear warhead missiles. With their nuclear reactors and great speed, they are often the first ships on station when a situation arises.

If you possess the exacting standards necessary to lead a submarine crew and operate multi-million-dollar equipment, accelerate your life as a submarine officer.

Skills and Training
There are a few ways to become a naval officer. Enrolling in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) or the U.S. Naval Academy are two paths toward gaining a commission. Other prospective officers attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 13-week Navy orientation school in Pensacola, Florida. OCS prepares you for the roles and responsibilities expected of and afforded to U.S. naval officers through academic and military courses and physical fitness training. Course subjects include naval operations, orientation and administration, Navy history, strategic deterrence and sea control, shipboard management, combat systems, ship control and surface ship fundamentals. Graduates of OCS, the U.S. Naval Academy and NROTC attend the Naval Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. This 24-week course teaches newly commissioned officers the fundamental theories involved with Navy nuclear propulsion plants. Study areas include thermodynamics, nuclear reactor principles and dynamics, radiological fundamentals and electrical engineering. Following Nuclear Power School, officers are assigned to a shore-based reactor training facility at the Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) in upstate New York or Charleston, South Carolina for 26 weeks of practical hands-on training. Students receive instruction in an operational reactor plant in order to learn to properly react to normal and casualty situations. Through the training, officers qualify as propulsion plant operators, obtaining extensive watch standing knowledge and a thorough understanding of all propulsion plant systems.

Prior to reporting to your first submarine as an officer, you will attend a 12-week Submarine Officer Basic Course in order to learn the ins and outs of todays advanced submarines. This course covers the theories and principles of submarine operations, tactics, organization and control, administrative responsibilities, submarine safety and weapons systems.

Educational Opportunities
The Navy provides the most comprehensive training available in the nuclear field. Nuclear training includes college-level classes in physics, chemistry, mathematics, electrical engineering and thermodynamics. As a submarine officer, nuclear engineering training is available in nuclear power plant design, construction, instrumentation and operation. As an officer, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is also an attractive tour of duty option, which allows you to earn a masters or doctorate degree while being paid full-time as an officer in the Navy.

Career Outlook
Training as a submarine officer directly translates to civilian careers in executive-level management as well as the technology industry and high-tech specialty systems. The specialized knowledge and expertise you could gain through Navy nuclear training will provide you with a skill set that is sought after worldwide. Gaining valuable insight from travelling internationally will provide you with experience that is invaluable to employers in the private sector.

Special Pay/Bonuses
As a nuclear-trained officer, youll benefit from some of the most rigorous training the Navy has to offer. Your hard work is not only rewarded with an excellent salary, youll also receive generous bonuses. Upon completion of nuclear propulsion training, the Navy pays a bonus. Submarine Officers also earn special pay because they serve on a submarine.

If youd like to find out more about career opportunities with the U.S. Navy, Request More Information.